COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

Press material Monday, 25 March 2024

● Council of the EU   25/03/2024 11:54 | Press release | Bosnia and Herzegovina: Council extends framework for restrictive measures until March 2026   The Council decided today to extend the framework for restrictive measures in view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina for another two years, until 31 March 2026. The European Union will therefore keep its ability to impose targeted restrictive measures on individuals or entities who undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order and international personality of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Restrictive measures can also be imposed against those who seriously threaten the security situation in the country, or undermine the Dayton/Paris General Framework Agreement for Peace. Restrictive measures under this framework consist of an asset freeze, prohibition to make funds available, and travel ban to the EU for natural persons. Background The Council Decision 2011/173/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted on 21 March 2011.  Bosnia and Herzegovina (background information)

Meetings Monday, 25 March 2024

● Council of the EU   25/03/2024 11:35 | Meetings | Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 26 March 2024   Background brief - Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 26 March 2024

Press material Monday, 25 March 2024

● Council of the EU   25/03/2024 10:14 | Press release | Waste shipments: Council signs off on more efficient, updated rules   Today, the Council adopted the revision of the regulation on shipments of waste. As revised, the regulation aims to reduce shipments of problematic waste to outside the EU, update shipment procedures to reflect the objectives of the circular economy and climate neutrality, to make use of electronic submission and exchange of information, and to improve enforcement and tackle illegal shipments. It also lays out measures to ensure that waste is only sent to destinations where it is properly treated in an environmentally sound manner. Under the new rules, waste cannot be sent to non-OECD countries unless the country indicates its willingness to import such a waste and can demonstrate the environmentally sound management of said waste through prior auditing by independent bodies and monitoring carried out by the Commission. Main elements of the regulation The regulation bans the shipments of all waste destined for disposal within the EU, except if agreed and authorised under the prior written notification and consent procedure (‘PIC’). This procedure requires notifiers within the EU and exporters to third countries to notify and receive written confirmation from the countries of dispatch, destination and transit prior to export. It includes specific timelines and deadlines to ensure an efficient process. On the other hand, intra-EU shipments of waste for recovery operations that fall into the ‘green-listed’ category will continue to be allowed through the less stringent procedure set out in the general information requirements. The text maintains the ban on member states exporting waste for disposal to third countries and on exporting hazardous waste destined for recovery in non-OECD countries. The revised regulation introduces a ban on exports of non-hazardous plastic waste to non-OECD countries. The latter can, after a certain timeframe, declare their willingness to import EU plastic waste if they meet strict waste management standards. Their request must be positively assessed by the Commission before the ban can be lifted. Non-hazardous plastic waste can be exported to OECD countries under the ‘PIC’ notification procedure but will subject to specific scrutiny by the Commission. Background and next steps The waste shipment regulation implements into EU law the provisions of the Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, as well as the related OECD decision. The Commission published its proposal to update the waste shipment regulation on 17 November 2021. The European Parliament reached its position in January 2023, while the Council adopted its negotiating mandate in March 2023. A provisional agreement between the co-legislators was reached on 17 November 2023, which was confirmed by member states’ delegations in Coreper on 6 December 2023 and by the ENVI Committee on 11 January 2024. The European Parliament adopted its first-reading position during the plenary session on 27 February 2024. Today’s vote by the Council closes the adoption procedure. The regulation will now be signed by the co-legislators. It will then be published in the EU’s Official Journal and enter into force on the twentieth day following publication.  Regulation on shipments of waste A-item note for the adoption of the regulation Statements by member states Voting results Waste shipments: Council and Parliament reach agreement on more efficient and updated rules (press release, 17 November 2023) Waste trade (background information) Basel Convention

Press material Monday, 25 March 2024

● Council of the EU   25/03/2024 12:41 | Press release | Combatting violence and harassment in the workplace: Council invites EU countries to ratify ILO convention   The Council has adopted a decision inviting member states to ratify the International Labour Organization’s convention on violence and harassment (ILO convention 190). Violence and harassment in the workplace is a widespread and persistent phenomenon around the world: more than one in five people have experienced violence and harassment at work, whether physical, psychological or sexual, with women being particularly at risk. The violence and harassment convention is the first international instrument setting out minimum standards on tackling work-related harassment and violence. This convention will help promote decent work for all, health and safety at work and gender equality, and will also help to combat discrimination. With today’s decision, the Council invites member states to ratify the parts of the convention that concern in particular the improvement of the working environment to protect workers’ health and safety and safeguard equality between men and women in matters of employment. Next steps The decision adopted today will enter into force following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background In 2019, the International Labour Conference adopted the International Labour Organization’s convention concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. The convention provides a common framework to prevent, remedy and eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work, including gender-based violence and harassment. For the first time in international law, the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment is specifically recognised, including the obligation to respect, promote and realise this right. The convention also provides the first international definition of violence and harassment in the world of work. All member states have supported the objectives of this convention and have played a key role in its adoption in the ILO. On 12 March 2024, the European Parliament gave its consent to the adoption of the Council Decision. Council decision